Suspects In Woman’s Death Can Be Held For Weeks

ROYAL OAK (AP) – Two suspects in the murder of an 80-year-old woman in her Royal Oak home have convictions for gun crimes and home invasion, records show.

Alan Wood and Tonia Watson were being held as parole absconders after their arrest Tuesday at a Meijer store in Canton Township. Michigan Corrections Department spokesman Russ Marlan said they didn’t report as required.

Wood, 48, and Watson, 40, are the only suspects in the death of Nancy Dailey, whose body was discovered Sunday with her throat slashed, said Royal Oak Police Chief Corrigan O’Donohue. They have not been charged and no defense attorneys have been assigned.

“The investigation is ongoing. Our guys will be working throughout the balance of this week,” O’Donohue said Wednesday.

Records show Wood’s last conviction was for home invasion in 2005, while Watson had gun and stolen property convictions in 2001.

Tim Steadman, who lived nearby Dailey in her 13 Mile and Woodward neighborhood, said he and his family have known the victim for nearly 40 years.

“It’s hard to believe. It’s hard to process it happened. My kids are very upset about it. They’ve known her all their lives,” said Steadman.

“The robbery doesn’t bother me so much as the violence of the whole thing,” he said. “If there’s a robbery, fine, take what you want and leave, you know. But, just the whole idea of the whole episode really disturbs me.”